Throughout his glittering managing career, Pep Guardiola has managed some of the greatest football players of all time. After eventually breaking City’s UEFA Champions League curse in 2023, the Spaniard went on to become the only coach to win the continental treble twice. He has had tremendous success at Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.
Among the many elite players that have played under Guardiola are Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Andres Iniesta, and Erling Haaland. He is one of the most sought-after coaches to work under because of his amazing ability to help athletes flourish and become superstars.
But among the six players Guardiola believes are the greatest in football history is only one of the many outstanding players he has coached throughout his career. His 2022 selection, in which he listed current and historical heroes who he asserted “will be eternal,” was an engaging read:
“These players have been doing a lot for a long time, and they improve our workplace and business. What they created for the people’s emotions.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi
With good cause, Lionel Messi was unavoidably included in Guardiola’s list of football royalty. Throughout his trophy-filled career, the Argentine legend has lighted up international football and won the Ballon d’Or an unprecedented eight times.
Guardiola was largely responsible for the famous Barcelona accomplishments of football’s most decorated player. Under the Spaniard, he won the 2009 continental treble with 211 goals and 94 assists in 219 games. When the renowned forward led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, he achieved the highest level of success in the sport.
Playing Lionel Messi for Pep Guardiola
Games
219
Objectives
211
Helps
94
Trophies
14
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite never having played for Guardiola, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a source of frustration for the Spanish maestro. During the 2000s, the Portuguese goal-scoring machine scored goals for amusement in El Clasico matches against Barcelona.
Guardiola has always admired the Manchester United legend, who has become as the game’s greatest goalscorer. Since the year 2000, football has been dominated by the rivalry between Messi and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. At one point, he said:
Messi is the father of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a monster.
Pele
Brazil
Because of his amazing achievements with Brazil during his extraordinary career, Pele made a lasting impression on both the sport and Guardiola. The legendary late forward scored 77 goals in 92 appearances, a record only recently surpassed by Neymar, and won three World Cups with Selecao.
Beyond the pitch, the Brazilian hero’s accomplishments in football have contributed to the increased visibility of Black athletes. When he died in 2022, the football world was devastated. Guardiola observed:
“It’s like a good movie, the legacy that we’re still talking about him, about a good movie, a good book, because he was so good.”
Maradona, Diego, Argentina
Like Pele, Diego Maradona was an important member of Argentina’s team during his playing career and helped his country win the World Cup in 1986. A once-in-a-lifetime player, the Napoli icon enthralled fans worldwide with his footballing brilliance.
The late Maradona’s inventiveness was impressive, and he was dependable in front of goal. With 84 international caps, he scored 32 goals and provided 27 assists. His remarkable skill with the ball and mysterious personality have left him with a long legacy.
Johan Cruyff from the Dutch
Since the Barcelona star was the face of “Total Football,” Johan Cruyff must be mentioned while discussing football’s pillars. The Dutchman, who was as strong in the managerial dugout as he was in attacking midfield, is primarily responsible for the squad’ current inventiveness and grace.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner, a superb dribbler with typically absurd skills, accomplished everything on the pitch with style. Along with numerous other significant honours at his boyhood club, he won the European Champions Cup three times with Ajax. In 2016, Guardiola stated:
“I knew nothing about football before knowing Cruyff.”
Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer
The German icon was a complete player, but the only non-attacker on Guardiola’s six-man list of football royalty is Franz Beckenbauer. Massive in the back, he is undoubtedly the best centre-back in history and the top player in the Bundesliga.
Known as “the Emperor,” Beckenbauer won two Ballons d’Or and led Germany to the 1974 World Cup. In addition, he won the European Championships in 1972. With Bayern Munich, he won three European titles thanks to his exceptional leadership and versatility in both defence and offence.
